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Should I take creatine supplement if I'm beginning strength training or should I wait later on?

neely47
neely47 Posts: 30 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

I am new to the gym and just recently started exercising and paying attention to my diet 2 weeks ago. I am currently in a 6 week bootcamp class Mon, Wed, Friday which I started on Sept. 18th. Just wondering if it's a good idea for me to take creatine supplement now for a beginner like me for strength training or should I wait later on to take it?

BTW my stats- I'm a 6'0 male and currently weigh 223. Bodyfat is currently 24.8%. My goal weight is 200 Ibs. 2 weeks ago, I weighed 227.5 and my bodyfat was 26.3%.

Replies

  • Muscleflex79
    Muscleflex79 Posts: 1,917 Member
    are you on a progressive lifting program or just boot camp? if just bootcamp classes, I wouldn't worry about creatine at this point (and that is coming from someone that loves creatine and takes it daily!)

    if you are on a lifting program you can take it if you want - it is cheap and no harm (unless your stomach doesn't take well to it). I've noticed though that many on here suggest holding off until you are a bit more into your lifting program and need that extra boost - it's really up to you.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I've been lifting for years and don't use it at all...

    It isn't a requirement if you are a weight lifter...some folks like it others just don't bother...personal choice.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,151 Member
    Lots of food already contain it. Most supplements aren't needed in the diet unless you're depleting them at a higher rate than the average gym goer and that's usually going to be people who are in really good athletic condition.
    While it does have good evidence that it works, get your conditioning down without it first.

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    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    If your goal is fat loss, it won't help with that. If you choose to take it, i'd wait a few months until you hit a strength plateau, so that 1) you can tell if it's working, and 2) your tendons and other connective tissue have had time to strengthen and can handle the unnaturally higher loads. They take longer to strengthen than muscles. :+1:
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Creatine has 3 Essential Amino Acids. There are 9 Essential Amino Acids. There are 14 Non Essential Amino Acids. Your body needs all 23 Amino Acids to make muscle. If you want to grow muscle, eat protein and lift. Supplementing with a subset of amino acids such as creatine or BCAA only serves to waste your money.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
    Creatine has 3 Essential Amino Acids. There are 9 Essential Amino Acids. There are 14 Non Essential Amino Acids. Your body needs all 23 Amino Acids to make muscle. If you want to grow muscle, eat protein and lift. Supplementing with a subset of amino acids such as creatine or BCAA only serves to waste your money.

    I agree that BCAA is a complete waste of money, but the benefits of creatine are via a completely different mechanism than protein intake per se. There's plenty of sound research backing the benefits of creatine (with the proviso that some people are non-responders).
  • Muscleflex79
    Muscleflex79 Posts: 1,917 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
    Creatine has 3 Essential Amino Acids. There are 9 Essential Amino Acids. There are 14 Non Essential Amino Acids. Your body needs all 23 Amino Acids to make muscle. If you want to grow muscle, eat protein and lift. Supplementing with a subset of amino acids such as creatine or BCAA only serves to waste your money.

    I agree that BCAA is a complete waste of money, but the benefits of creatine are via a completely different mechanism than protein intake per se. There's plenty of sound research backing the benefits of creatine (with the proviso that some people are non-responders).

    I was going to say the same thing (you beat me to it!) Creatine is one of (if not THE) most researched and supported supplements out there - definitely not a waste of money!
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
    Creatine has 3 Essential Amino Acids. There are 9 Essential Amino Acids. There are 14 Non Essential Amino Acids. Your body needs all 23 Amino Acids to make muscle. If you want to grow muscle, eat protein and lift. Supplementing with a subset of amino acids such as creatine or BCAA only serves to waste your money.

    I agree with the 2 guys above. Creatine has well researched and proven benefits. BCAAs not so much.
This discussion has been closed.

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